Black - Black & Decker the Complete Guide to Tile, 4th Edition: Ceramic * Stone * Porcelain * Terra Cotta * Glass * Mosaic * Resilient

The Complete Guide to

Updated 4th Edition

Ceramic Stone Porcelain Terra Cotta
Glass Mosaic Resilient

First published in 2015 by Cool Springs Press, an imprint of Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc., 400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA. Telephone: (612) 344-8100 Fax: (612) 344-8692

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2015 Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.

Text 2003, additional text 2015

All rights reserved. With the exception of quoting brief passages for the purposes of review, no part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission from the Publisher.

The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. All recommendations are made without any guarantee on the part of the author or Publisher, who also disclaims any liability incurred in connection with the use of this data or specific details.

Cool Springs Press titles are also available at discounts in bulk quantity for industrial or sales-promotional use. For details write to Special Sales Manager at Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc., 400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA. To find out more about our books, visit us online at www.coolspringspress.com.

Digital edition: 978-1-62788-644-4

Softcover edition: 978-1-59186-634-3

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

The complete guide to tile : Ceramic Stone Porcelain Terra cotta Glass Mosaic. -- 4th edition.

pages cm

At head of title: Black & Decker.

Includes index.

ISBN 978-1-59186-634-3 (sc)

1. Tile laying. 2. Ceramic tiles. I. Black & Decker Corporation (Towson, Md.) II. Title: Black & Decker the complete guide to tile. III. Title: Black and Decker the complete guide to tile.

TH8531.C654 2015

691.4--dc23

2014050266

Acquisitions Editor: Mark Johanson

Senior Art Director: Brad Springer

Layout: Danielle Smith-Boldt

Photography for new edition: Rau + Barber

Photo Assistance for new edition: Adam Esco, Alexandra Burniece, Natalie Williams

The Complete Guide to Tile

Created by: The Editors of Cool Springs Press, in cooperation with BLACK+DECKER.

BLACK+DECKER and the BLACK+DECKER logo are trademarks of The Black & Decker Corporation and are used under license. All rights reserved.

NOTICE TO READERS

For safety, use caution, care, and good judgment when following the procedures described in this book. The publisher and BLACK+DECKER cannot assume responsibility for any damage to property or injury to persons as a result of misuse of the information provided.

The techniques shown in this book are general techniques for various applications. In some instances, additional techniques not shown in this book may be required. Always follow manufacturers instructions included with products, since deviating from the directions may void warranties. The projects in this book vary widely as to skill levels required: some may not be appropriate for all do-it-yourselfers, and some may require professional help.

Consult your local building department for information on building permits, codes, and other laws as they apply to your project.

T he tile options available to todays homeowner strain the imagination. Its not just that there are more sizes, shapes, finishes, and formats than ever before. But there are also so many intriguing new tile materials available. You can pick a tried-and-true, cost-effective standard such as solid-colored ceramic tile, or go for its more sophisticated cousin porcelain tile, and choose from a vast number of faux surface finishes. Lean toward sleek in a backsplash or bathroom floor with glass mosaics, go stunning with large-format white marble, or opt for an unusual look with dynamic new metal tiles. If its too hard to pick just one, mix and match for even more design options.

One of the many wonderful things about that explosion of possibilities is that DIY installation techniques have not radically changed. In fact, installing your own tile remains a homeowner favorite because the skills you need are so easy to develop and the tools so basic. The process is straightforward, requires more attention to detail than particular skill, and moves along quickly in just about any case. Tiling a surface, any surface, is as close to instantaneous gratification as youll find in home improvement. A new tiled wall, counter, or floor can easily transform the look of any room in the house.

Dont know where to begin? Youve come to the right place. Start with the in-depth discussions covering tile, materials, and techniques here. Check out the galleries in The Complete Guide to Tile for interesting and beautiful ideas that you can adopt in your own home or use as points of departure on your own tile design journey. Then start planning your next glorious home design adventure.

The projects in the pages that follow cover just about everything you can do with tile. They also show you how to properly prepare underlying surfaces and handle the tiles themselves so that all your effort results in a tiled work of art that lasts a good long time. The instructions provided are detailed, and the photos make everything even clearer. You can follow any project along from start to finish or, once youve built up essential basic skills such as mortaring or grouting, you can design and install your own custom-tiled work of art.

Rethink wood floors with faux-wood porcelain tiles. Easy to clean, durable, and available in styles from pine plank to pickled oak, these porcelain tiles are ideal for any room in the house. No sanding or refinishing needed!

Tile special bathroom features for ease of use and a uniform look. The soap niche in this shower is a handy place for bottles of shampoo and other necessities, and running the tile into the niche creates a unified design that is pleasing to the eye.